3rd Birthday Letter

Posted: January 18, 2010 | Author: momruncraft | Filed under: Milestones, Tyson | Leave a comment

Dear Tyson,

More so than the last two years, it is hard to communicate everything I would like to in words. Every year, around your birthday I am catapulted into this frenzy of remembrance and visions of your actual birthday bounce through my head. Memories of the last three years fill my heart and my mind. I had no idea before you were born what it meant to be a mom. I had no idea how much one little baby could change my life. My house. My car. My sleep. You have grown more than I ever imagined possible in the last twelve months:

You became a big brother. Loving and protective:

Your boundless energy keeps me on my toes. Keeps me busy. Keeps me young. You are one of very few people that can keep up with me at the Rez. I look forward to many running adventures in the near future. You are inquisitive. Exceptionally mechanical. Fearless.

Yet, you love to create. Your stepping stone sits proudly on our front walkway and always reminds me of this day. You have taught me the beauty of coloring outside the lines. Opened my color palette. Made our glider your “own”:

You have outgrown your Chandler Bing “CHEEEEESE” smile *thank goodness* and are now quite the ham…when I can slow you down enough to take a picture:

You learned a new phrase, “I do myself” and use it for both good and bad. You love to help wash Mommy’s car and even remind her when it is need of cleaning. Frequently. You often push out your car and wash it while Mommy washes hers:

You started preschool. As in drop off and leave preschool. I think it may have been harder for Mommy than it was for you. It only took a few weeks to get the hang of it and you now tell Mommy to leave so you can get on with your playing. You are particularly fond of Garden Kevin, the garden, and the chickens. You are so lucky to go to a school that introduces you to such fabulous things.

If one word could describe YOUR favorite toy this year it would simply be: TRAINS. You can’t get enough. Your ability to recall the names of each and every train simply by looking at their face is mind boggling. Amazing. You also love your books, especially your “I Spy” books. I often catch you reading until late at night in bed with a secret stash of books you have smuggled into your room. You build fun towers with your Duplos and rock puzzles. You knock out your 24-piece puzzles like nothing often putting your Mommy and Daddy to shame with your puzzle skillz:

You are silly. Funny. And have a great sense of humor. You make us laugh daily.

You love to sing. DANCE. You are truly entertaining when it comes to the Freeze Dance…just thinking about you dancing and playing the Freeze Dance Game brings a smile to my face. You discovered the “marmonica” at Christmas and are really good:

Despite your rough and tumble ways, you have the sweetest, most gentle nurturing side. You are so careful and loving with your stuffed animals. You make sure they are warm, fed, and happy. Your newest friend, The Big Bad Wolf, hasn’t left your side since you got him:

You continue to challenge me to become the best Mama I can. You have taught me patience. Forgiveness. How to let go. You have given me new eyes through which the world is different. Happier. Sappier. Ooey-gooey-er. We love you more than a letter could ever express.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Ty Ty!!

Mom and Dad

The Making of a Reluctant Runner

Posted: January 15, 2010 | Author: momruncraft | Filed under: Goals, Running | Leave a comment

For the longest time I swore up and down that running was bad for women. Therefore, not one to go against medical evidence and scientific information, I didn’t run. Somewhere along the way I had heard that there was something about the arches in women’s feet that made running difficult. Or so I believed. It’s not that I didn’t like being active, I loved sports, I just hated running. Why would anyone in his or her right mind choose to run…unless being chased in which case it wouldn’t really be a choice. It is actually possible that I may have made up above said scientific information to get out of running events in high school…but I can’t remember for sure.

And then I got engaged. Searching for a way to become a “Buff Bride” I started jogging. Slowly. I managed to run a quarter mile. And thought I was near death. And then worked up to a half mile. Then one mile. Eventually I was running three miles. I would love to say I was running with ease but I don’t know if anyone ever truly runs with ease- there is always some sort of challenge whether it be the first mile, getting started, or finding the time. The upcoming wedding was motivation enough. The thought of hundreds of eyes on ME freaked me out and pushed me to get out and run.

After the wedding, I continued to run. I often ran the local reservoir- a hilly, challenging, 3 mile loop. In my head, I told myself that once in my lifetime I would like to run a half marathon. It sounded cool. Was fun to say. I never thought it would become a reality, especially as I had never really run more than six miles and was firmly aware that one DRIVES 13.1 miles. Again, it sounded really cool and was fun to throw into conversations. After all, “life goal” meant I had the rest of my life, duh.

After having Tyson, I ran to lose the baby weight. I ran when I could, often running on very little sleep and pushing a very unhappy baby in the jogging stroller. There were many days when a nap trumped running. As Ty got older the thought of running while trying to feed/console/entertain/block out the whining/crying/fussing trumped actually getting out to run. After having Jake, I ran to lose the baby weight. I ran when I could, often running on LESS sleep than after having Ty. Going for a run now meant packing a snack for Ty, toys for Ty, books for Ty, water for Ty, water for me, snack for me, diapers for Jake, wipes for Jake, Hooter Hider for me, toys for Jake, blankets for Jake…by the time I was done packing up to go out for a run I often found myself faced with dirty diapers, hungry children, or a child in need of a nap.

And then a couple girlfriends mentioned they wanted to run a half marathon. I jumped on the opportunity to train and run with friends. Half serious. Not sure if it would become a reality. It sounds REALLY good but really…run 13.1 miles. In a row. Without dying. Voluntarily. AND pay someone for the “honor”…not so sold on this. After all, we all had two kids. Two of us had infants. None of us were getting full night’s of sleep. What were we thinking…but we continued to train. We ran through the heat of the summer. We ran through the fussing. And whining. And tears. We ran through the exhaustion. And doubt. And we all crossed that finish line.

As I ran around the corner towards the finish line I had to hold back tears. I couldn’t believe I was about to cross the finish line and complete something I had seen as impossible. Somehow between the sleep deprivation, diaper changes, toddler tantrums…I had done this. I. Did. This. WE did this.

And we’ll do it again…in JUNE.

Somehow. With a busy husband, busier than in the fall, an active-HATES-the-jogging-stroller 3 year old, and an on-the-verge-of-walking-also-HATES-the-jogging-stroller 1 year old…I can do this again. Don’t ask me how many times I have run since the October Half. It’s a shame really. I desperately need to find my running mojo again…however, it seems really hard to find at 5 am. Or in 40 degree weather. Or in the rain. Or when it’s too foggy. Or when…*enter weather/sleep/kid/time excuse*. And you wondered why I put “reluctant” in the title…the one thing I wish I had done differently the last time is chronicle my training. The ups and downs. So here starts the chronicling…day one.

Christmas

Posted: January 10, 2010 | Author: momruncraft | Filed under: Holidays | Leave a comment

Tyson digging into his Christmas goodies delivered by Santa:

And playing with each toy:

After opening and playing with presents we headed out for a family coffee run. Tyson LOVES his “kids mooka” or “Tyson’s coffee”…and the girls at the coffee shop love him. They always put a little extra sticker on top or sprinkles…whatever his little heart desires:

A surprise hit of the morning- the harmonica:

Jakey’s favorite toys, he loved everything, but seemed to love his musical instruments the best:

Both boys also LOVED their name trains from their Great Auntie Susan. Isn’t it gorgeous:

*I shamelessly took advantage of every opportunity I could to use my new camera*

Enjoying his new trampoline the next morning (aka once all the other toys were cleared off of it and he realized it was even there). Note the trains in his hands…I don’t think they left his hands for at least two or three days following Christmas:

If you were to ask him what his FAVORITE toys was that he got for Christmas he’ll tell you Cranky the Crane:

I can’t wait for next year when Jake will likely be more aware of what’s going on…

Goals for 2010

Posted: January 1, 2010 | Author: momruncraft | Filed under: Goals | Leave a comment

* Post holiday photos. I have some really really good ones I swear; however, I have yet to download the new software for the new camera…and hence, have yet to upload any pictures.

* Craft more. Eh, craft period. Revamp (aka bring back to life) the ol’ scrapblog.

* Train for, and complete, TWO half marathons.

* Cook more. I will take the three cookbooks and TWO aprons I received as gifts as hints. The gods are clearly sending me a message.

* Be better about wearing facial lotion with SPF during the day…and cream at night.

* Experiment with color…in clothing. Venture out of my black yoga pants, sneakers, and long sleeve t-shirt look.

* Put the “ME” back in Mommy. Take advantage of our wonderful, amazing, lovely sitter and do things for me once in a while while she is with the kids: run, sit and enjoy a latte, hike the trails I have wanted to do sans kiddos…instead of running errands or grocery shopping.

* Read a book a month. Read a book every two months? Eh, read a book.

* Focus on the positive. Smile more. Appreciate more.

A Year in Photos Part 1

Posted: December 21, 2009 | Author: momruncraft | Filed under: Mommy Notes | Leave a comment

**It absolutely blows my mind that I sit here days away from Christmas. This year is a complete and total blurr. I blogged. I photographed. I videotaped. But it is still surreal. I VIVIDLY remember this time last year, and yet here we are again…and things have changed immensely. While I had hoped to keep up with scrapbooking…finding the time has become next to impossible. So I decided to do the next best thing and make a photobook of our year. Here are some bits and pieces of it…enjoy.

**JANUARY**

It wasn’t until I looked back at blog posts and photos that I realized I started the year out pregnant. In all honesty, it is impossible to remember our family with Jacob at this point and it feels as if he’s always been a part. This was about two weeks before Jake was born. Of course, looking at this picture brings back many memories of pregnancy…many of which I don’t miss:

**FEBRUARY**

*Jacob William was born:

*Brothers met for the first time:

*2 weeks old:

**MARCH**
*A favorite outing of ours became searching for Lady bugs. We found a park where they were EVERYWHERE…Ty LOVED it. He was so gentle and kind:

*Again…we did this often:

*We discovered the local airport viewing area and it became a weekly family outing:

**APRIL**

*Ty discovered his brother’s swing and officially sat in it longer than he ever did as a baby:

*We had a very unusual and very HOT heat wave:

*Big brother kisses:

*Little brother smiles:

*Big brother tickles and little brother giggles:

**MAY**

*”I do myself” became a household phrase…sometimes good and VERY cute:

*J-dub loving his exersaucer:

*Feet:

*4 months:

**JUNE**

*Big boy haircut:

*Ty learns to say “CHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESE” for the camera:

*We dabble in cloth diapers…and it wasn’t nearly as awful as I expected:

*Silly, happy boy:

*Brothers:

2009 in Review Part 2

Posted: December 21, 2009 | Author: momruncraft | Filed under: Mommy Notes | Leave a comment

**JULY**

* Jacob sits…and makes raspberries that cause his brother to laugh in ways no one else can:

*Jake goes from back sleeper to butt-in-the-air-on-his-tummy sleeper (love how he crosses his feet as well):

*We took the boys to Marine World:

*Where Ty rode an elephant with Daddy. He smiled the entire.time:

**AUGUST**

*Jake’s six month photo…it only took about 50 shots to get this one:

*He enters a whole new world of baby food:

*Ty enters a whole new world where hair cuts age him tremendously…when did he stop looking like a baby and become such a BIG BOY:

*Trains, trains, trains…Ty LOVES trains:

*J-dub cuteness…he finds his feet:

*Brothers:

*My boys:

**SEPTEMBER**

*Ty is old enough to do CRAFTS. On this day, we made a stepping stone for our front yard…he had SO much fun and loves to point it out when we walk down our pathway:

*Brothers can play together now. Jake LOVES to watch/play/be near Ty:

*Tyson has his FIRST day of preschool:

* 7 months old:

**OCTOBER**

*Took the boys to the Pumpkin Patch. Ty had so much fun in the seed pools:

* While Jake enjoyed the hay stacks:

*I discovered how much fun our wagon is with both boys now able to sit comfortably in it. Tyson loves to pull Jacob around…and Jacob grins from ear to ear the entire time:

* I trained for and completed my first 1/2 Marathon:

*Ty brings new excitement and magic to each holiday now…Halloween was incredibly memorable. Both boys looked adorable in their costumes: Jake was Frankenbaby and Ty was a doctor:

*We took the boys to Pixieland’s Haunted Halloween…Tyson as always LOVED the rides:

*And we discovered that Jacob does TOO:

*Dr. Ty all ready to trick-or-treat with his Thomas treat bucket:

**NOVEMBER**

*Jake wishes everyone a Happy Turkey Day:

*Ty discovered Daddy’s ties. And belts. And shoes:

**DECEMBER**

*I finally take the boys to the Train Museum and the both LOVE it:

*We also went to the Oakland Zoo with friends. Ty has become very sweetly protective of Jake…he immediately put his arm around him when I sat him down:

*I don’t know if it was the attention from his big brother, the train ride, or a combination of both…but Jake never stopped smiling:

*Somewhere along the way Ty graduated to big-boy-solo-riding status:

*We got SNOW:

*10 months old:

*Brother fun:

*Making Christmas gifts:

*Our family 2009:

DIY: Handprint Ornaments and Kaleidoscope Ornaments

Posted: November 30, 2009 | Author: momruncraft | Filed under: Arts and Crafts | Leave a comment

Having slacked on holiday decor for Halloween…Easter…Valentine’s Day…(aka. every holiday this year), I thought I’d attempt to redeem myself for Christmas. Today, the boys and I made some easy, fun ornaments. We turned this:

into Kaleidoscope Ornaments:

And Hand Print Ornaments:

I haven’t finished these ones as I can’t decide how to differentiate Jake’s from Ty’s. I also didn’t get any pictures of the process as you can imagine what it means to have a 9 month old’s hands covered in paint…and a 2 1/2 year old’s hands covered in paint.

For the Kaleidoscope Ornaments:

You need contact paper, construction paper or scrapbook paper, and cut out shapes or torn tissue paper. I used some scrapbook punches and made snowflakes and hearts. Cut out circles. Place onto contact paper. Have fun putting cut out shapes on…Ty LOVED it:

All done:

I wasn’t sure how the contact paper would stick if it wasn’t allowed to adhere around the edges of the paper so I cut out the red circles prior to putting shapes on:

Lesson learned: either way works. I used what we had at home; however, glitter would have been a fun addition. Messy, but fun. The tissue paper snow flakes also look prettier when hung up, but I only had green and they were harder for Ty to work with as one touch on the contact paper meant it was there to stay- where as the thicker card stock shapes could be removed and repositioned.

To finish, cover with a second sheet of contact paper. Cut out circles. I punched out squares for the top, glued them together with a ribbon folded in half, and stapled:

I Did It…

Posted: October 26, 2009 | Author: momruncraft | Filed under: Running | Leave a comment

You know that list of “Life Goals” you keep in the back of your head. The ones that you remind yourself about every once in awhile. The ones you say out loud but don’t necessarily mean to ever accomplish. The ones that you give yourself the rest of your life to finish because it’s easier to say them, or think them, than to actually try to accomplish them. You say, “At least once in my life, I’d like to yada yada yada.” Well, I can now say that I have officially checked one such item OFF my list. And I honestly still can’t believe it.

I did it. I completed my first 1/2 Marathon. Of all the times I thought I would do this, after having had a second baby wasn’t really one of them. To say training for this with a newborn/infant and a 2 1/2 year old was easy, would be a lie. There were many times I thought it was a crazy idea. Impossible. People DRIVE 13 miles. Not RUN them. To be exact, it was 13.1 miles. And trust me, that .1 makes all the difference. I always considered myself a casual jogger. I ran for fun. Never with a race in mind. Or distance. When people called me a runner I shuddered. Not me. I suppose now, I can truly claim that title, “runner”.

I was fortunate enough to have two amazing ladies train with me. Both of whom overcame a number of obstacles and challenges to cross that finish line as well. We made an awesome team and I am so lucky to have had their support throughout this journey. Seeing the finish line was a much more emotional experience than I thought it would be. I had to hold back tears and push myself to run through it. I was overcome with pride. Accomplishment. I had ACTUALLY done this. And I ran it faster than I ever thought I would.

Official chip time- 2:22

I am the schmuck with the crooked hat. Apparently my head went numb or something and I couldn’t tell it was askew. All the pictures of me are with the hat to the side. Sigh. I don’t think I have ever been so excited about a ribbon medal. It’s currently hanging, proudly, on my computer screen. A reminder of all that we accomplished. A reminder that we are capable of far more than we think:

Tyson has already started training for the next race:

8 Months

Posted: October 6, 2009 | Author: momruncraft | Filed under: Jake, Milestones | Leave a comment

Jacob is 8 months old. Already. Sigh. His little personality is really starting to emerge. He loves just about any food. I should say he LOVES food. Period. It shows. He doesn’t discriminate. If he can reach it, food item or not, it’s in his mouth. He is a champ at feeding himself puffs. Manages to get some water down from a sippy though the majority of it ends up all over him. His favorite play spot seems to be the bottom toy drawer in the kitchen. He hasn’t a tooth in sight. He really is a happy, social, silly little boy. Always smiling:

He adores Tyson in every way. He loves to stand in his exersaucer and play trains with his brother.

LOVES it:

He loves the outdoors and often accompanies me on my runs around the Rez while Ty is at school.

Where ever Ty is…Jacob wants to be. One of very few toys that have stood the test of time in our house. Both boys really enjoy it…

Jacob had a BLAST on the swings for the first time:

A preview of his Halloween costume as it may be too small once Halloween rolls around. The price you pay for ordering too soon:

He’s figured out how to pull up and stand on just about everything. He cruises along the table. I love this outfit. The jeans. The mocs. Love it. You’ll likely see it often.

He’s also figured out how to push his walker and climb our stairs…did I mention life around here has got pretty interesting lately. Two very mobile boys. Roaming. Discovering. Exploring:

http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=9a520fbeb807d5854a2af0